Free Essay: Theoretical Approach of Global village or Global Pillage
Globalization affects different people worldwide and this has led to the emergence of varying perspectives about it. For instance, both the rich and the poor are affected by globalization forces. Nevertheless, it ought to be noted that the effects that globalization has on the rich and the poor differ. The global economy has more benefits for the rich than the poor who globalization has made vulnerable and even more impoverished.
The result of this has been the development of organizations that fight for the poor people’s rights (Brecher, 1999). The Global village or Global Pillage video depicts a neo-idealism perspective towards globalization since it emphasizes on the wealth that multinational companies create and that this should not be done in ways that disadvantage the poor countries. As such, human dignity and right issues have emerged as vital aspects of the contemporary global economy.
The Global Village or Global Pillage video shows that corporations are able to set up branches in different places especially in the developing states because cheap labor is readily available. This allows them to maximize profit with ease by maintaining low production costs. Although this system of the modern global economy is vital in generating more profits, the society that has emerged lacks balances and checks for protecting the poor people (Brecher, 1999). Apart from making individuals poorer, this economy is causing human rights’ violation which has led to the establishment of more human right groups.
Additionally, global corporations can move to all parts of the world. Consequently, the developing states are competing in regards to providing cheap labor as a way of attracting more global corporations. According to Brecher, this is a race that will lead them to the furthest bottom. The race enhances desperation among the developing states. Nevertheless, not only the developing states are affected by this race but the developed states are also affected. For instance, the United States is affected more so in the sweat shops in which human dignity and wage laws are violated.
This happens to not just the unskilled labor but to the skilled labor that is made of computer programmers and engineers as well (Brecher, 1999). Therefore, everybody has been affected by globalization forces across the world. Workers’ solidarity is the only way through which individuals can be protected from these forces. Multinational firms show solidarity through movements whose advocacy is morality and human rights’ respect.
It is important to note that companies try to avoid environmental regulations as they go global. This puts the local populations at a risk because the firms expose them to different types of pollution. However, this environmental degradation level is not found within national borders only. Environmental degradation affects people across the world. The effects are represented by global warming (Brecher, 1999). Apart from increasing poverty among the poor, globalization has hindered individuals from enjoying safer living environments. Although it is impossible to stop globalization forces, multinational firms ought to consider different aspects that include humans’ freedom.
Race to bottom by the developing states has affected the environment, communities and jobs. The poor are often in hopeless situations without the necessary power for changing the working of the system. Nevertheless, modern technologies that include the internet have made the formation of movements for changing the operations of global economy possible. Although competition between countries has increased due to globalization, it has led to the development of common interests among individuals which can put this race to an end. Because of this race, people have become desperate and poorer unlike the rich who are becoming richer (Brecher, 1999).
Multinational companies can be prevented from exploiting vulnerable communities by human unity that is established on the basis of moral principles. Instead of engaging in competition which has widened the gap between the poor and the rich, workers are working together to enhance their power while influencing the operations of multinational companies. Change can be realized in the worldwide economy due to this form of solidarity. A fair system can be established in which every individual gets fair wage.
An example of the way the worldwide economy can be influenced by powerful people is the campaign against sweat shop. Additionally, it is more than just doing right but also self-interest. To ensure protection against poor working environments and low wages, people must work together (Brecher, 1999). The worldwide economy has changed due to the corporation of human right movements.
In describing globalization, the Global Village or Global Pillage video uses the approach of Neo-Idealism. Communities with similar moral principles that include human rights’ respect have been drawn together by globalization’s negative effects to support one another. This has helped in the reduction of the race to a bottom end while empowering the vulnerable groups. Various regimes that include environmental groups and human rights campaign groups have established balances and checks in the competitive worldwide economy.
References
Brecher, J (Producer) (1999). Global Village or Global Pillage? Retrieved from: http://www.cultureunplugged.com/swf/flvPlayer11.swf